In a mission to captivate audiences from all over the Bay Area, Giving Individuals Fabulous Theater (GIFT) brings popular shows to the stage — or to the floor of a senior home.
GIFT is a student-run nonprofit that brings performances to senior centers, memory care facilities, and children’s hospitals. It was founded in 2013 by Jack McCarthy, who wanted to bring plays to his grandfather’s living facility. Since then, the organization has expanded to include members from middle schools to colleges across the region.
“It’s about spreading theater to communities that don’t usually have access to it,” performer senior Sawyer Eaton said. “And creating more opportunities for teens to be involved in theater.”
This summer, GIFT performed “The Wizard of Oz,” where junior Kira Polen played Dorothy.
“When I was singing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ people would be mouthing along to the words and singing alongside it,” Kira said. “They’re just so overjoyed to be able to see the production and it brings them nostalgia.”
Similar to Kira, senior Audrey Jamieson also joined to follow her passion for theater, but discovered the service side of it to be unexpectedly fulfilling.
“Theater is inherently kind of a selfish art,” Audrey said. “You’re performing because you enjoy performing and you want the attention from an audience. GIFT really highlights that theater itself is an art form that can connect people to the characters. They can resonate and find themselves inside of the show.”
Despite performance constraints — from makeshift stages to small rooms to minimal props, Audrey describes performing at children’s hospitals and senior homes as memorable and heartwarming experiences.
“Just seeing the little kids’ faces light up is super lovely,” Audrey said. “And when it comes to the senior homes, they are very unabashedly nice.”
GIFT members build memories offstage as well, through their tight-knit community. Audrey cites her favorite bonding moments as show days, which are usually back-to-back on Saturdays and Sundays.
“Because all of us are exhausted together, it’s very bonding to be like, ‘We’re all in it together and we’re all here to put on the best possible show,’” Audrey said.
In addition to its devoted and warm community, GIFT has encouraged its members to consider possible future paths and expand their theater community beyond high school.
“Going into college and beyond, theater will be something that still really heavily resonates with me,” Audrey said. “I’m really happy that GIFT allowed me to make that realization.”
GIFT is always open to new members with hopes to encourage future performers in the community to build their own paths too, starting with a simple application form on its Instagram. Prospective members do not need prior experience to audition.
“If you are intimidated to do theater, GIFT is the perfect space for you to start,” Audrey said.
“You should 100 percent try it out,” Sawyer said. “It’s welcoming and a lot of fun.”
GIFT Theater also performs public shows, typically with no ticket charge and a recommended donation. More information can be found on its Instagram, @theatergift.
